The Poultry Keeper

Lisa · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 7:31 am Post subject: Introducing chickens

As some of you know I got 2 new chickens on Saturday.

I kept them separate because that's what I always thought I should do. (I know one reason for doing this is to reduce the risk of bringing disease into your existing flock, but I was not concerned about this as the new birds are fully vaccinated).

When I went to get some more chicken food and bedding yesterday, I started talking with the woman in the shop. I explained I was doing the "right" thing, keeping them separate so they could get used to each other, and it was good job too because they kept squaring up to each other at the wire. Her answer surprised me and made me think.

She suggested putting them all in together instead to sort it out themselves, as long as they had room to get away, because my approach meant they just kept winding each other up at the wire but nothing was ever sorted.

As soon as I thought about it, it made perfect sense when I compared it to dog training and behaviour. Two dogs barking at each other through a fence can keep it up all day.... and when we got our last dog we didn't keep her separate from our old dog, we let them work the new arrangements out themselves. They were supervised, of course, and we were ready to step in if it got out of hand. Yes, there was barking etc, but I *knew* it was all a necessary part of the process. It was communciation, not actual aggression, if that makes sense. Plus they were kept separate at night, or when we weren't there, for the first few days too.

So I am taking the same approach with the chickens.

My first concern was that they had enough space to get away from each other if need be, so first priority was extending the chicken run. That done - all were let loose together.

The old girls immediately decided that the new bit of run was most interesting and marched off to claim it as theirs.

The new Bovans Nera - currently nick-named "Atilla the Hen" for obvious reasons (until I can think of anything better) - went striding straight towards them. It was as if there was an imaginary line where the new bit of run started, and as soon as she crossed that Buffy the Welsummer (bottom of the pecking order) went for her. But once she was well back in "the other bit" she backed off.

The two Rhode Island Reds looked on in a supervisory kinda way, only bothering to join in if either of the checky new comers actually came near them.

The small dainty little ginger one is nick-named "poulette". She is definitely bottom of the lot and knows it. She crept about very gingerly and seemed to react to "the look" from any of the old girls. Given any chance she'd hide behind something, and if caught out did a good impression of a road runner!

So after an initial bit of squarking and chasing, things settled down into 2 groups and all went quiet while they got on with being chickens. No more of the fluffing themselves up and charging at the wire that I had seen when I kept them separate.

When it was bed time and the old lot marched off to the shed for bed. And the new lot went back to their little box.

I plan to let them run freely together again today, but sleep separately for one more night.

Tomorrow is supposed to be warm and sunny, so the shed will get a full spring clean and I'll sort out some new perches. At the moment there is just one perch, but I'll replace that with 2 separate perches - maybe even in different areas so each has their own if need be - and then, if all is still going well, all chooks will sleep in the shed on Tuesday night.

So, not exactly what I originally planned to do, but (with Stockholm tar is on standby) so far, so good...

Knobby · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 7:55 am Post subject:

I think thats the best thing to do Citychic....although I hate it. and can never watch.....it should only take a day or two b4 things settle....even them youll get the occasional "squawk" from a bullied Hen, but they will all just about "Get along" with each other !

I dont know about the warm & Sunny bit....its pouring down here ! Smile

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I agree with both of you. I've never been able to keep mine apart, it always seems a little mean as someone always only has a small space, and like you say they do watch each other constantly through the dividing mesh.
I think mine had a couple of night apart for the last lot and then I put them, or no, I think some of the new girls put themselves in with the others at night and I put the others in. In the morning when I let them out I had a scoop of feed ready, so if they looked at each other I scattered food and suddenly that was the priority, not who was new!
Hope it goes well for you ~ but I don't know where you got your sun from, it's pouring down here

Lisa · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:24 am Post subject:

Noooooooo - its been pouring here too. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny Wink

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

aaa, but now we have the sun, or we did have 2 minutes ago, no it's back, oh it's gone again, no it's trying really hard, maybe it will make it by the afternoon

tinacam · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 37 Location: London

My new girls sleep separately from the others, but they all free range in the garden together. The first evening they were out together there was a bit of "argy bargy" and a few squawks, but they all seem to get on well enough now and have settled down.

The only pecking that goes on now is at feeding time with corn or maggots, when Goldie just pecks everyone!

Lisa · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

Well, their 2nd full day together has been really good...

The number of sqwarks I've heard from the house I could count on one hand. Most of what I've seen (yes, I've been out in the garden lots, even in the rain) has been the old girls running at the newbies, and as soon as long as they go far enough away (and they have the room to do this) the old girls give up. The original run was 6 foot by 20 foot and I added an angled bit on the end to extend it 2 further fence panels. So it is now 32 foot long and 12 foot wide at the widest. If that makes sense!?

Mind you, the 5 chooks now have (temporarily) more of the garden than the rest of us (2 humans and 2 German Shepherds)! When they get used to each other we will reclaim our garden Laughing

The old girls have put themselves to bed, but the youngsters are still up partying Wink

(okay, scratching in the straw!)

Be interesting to see where they try to go to bed. Might shove 'em in with the old lot - haven't decided yet....

tinacam · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 37 Location: London

Mine are the opposite. The youngsters are in bed first but the 3 ex-batts are the dirty stop outs! They're always still roaming round the garden when I go to shut the doors, and I always have to shoo them in after Milly's gone to bed! Smile

Lisa · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 8:49 pm Post subject:

Yeah, but they're making up for lost time Laughing

moldirox · Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 47 Location: west midlands

I have been reading this post with great interest as I have some new ex-batts arriving soon and was wondering what to do about introducing them to my original 4 girls. Although it makes great sense to put them straight together to free range and apart at night at first - I am a bit concerned that the new hens will still be too shell-shocked from the sudden removal from the battery cages to cope with the onslaught of my other hens. They have an awful lot to learn about being proper hens and building up their confidence. I think it may be better to keep them separate until the new girls health and confidence are improved. Any opinions on this please guys Question

Opinions much appreciated Laughing

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I think all chickens are individual and you have to watch and do whatever is best for them. Like you say when they first come they won't be used to freedom, so maybe put them in a run next to your other girls, so they can all see each other. Then when they have become a little more confident try them together during the day. I've read numerous threads where the ex-batts have been quite confident almost straight away and equally there are those who take a little longer. I think it's all to do with watching how they are and moving at their speed.
That was a nice sitting on the fence post, wasn't it. But I was actually trying to give my own point of view, hope it helps

Lisa · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 8:44 am Post subject:

Moldirox, I think you instincts are right. Ex-batts aren't going to be as strong as other new chickens you might get. If they haven't had a chance to move about much, their muscles must be weaker than your other chooks. Plus I'm sure I can remember others saying some ex-batts hardly moved at all at first. Well that's not a good thing if you've got another chicken coming over to (maybe) peck you!

If I were to get some, I would give them a couple of week separate first, to build up their strength and feel confident in their new surroundings. And then introduce them to the others.

Of course if they settle in straight away, and run around with the joys of freedom, you could always introduce them sooner.

But better to do it that way round, than have to rescue new, scared ex-batts from your other chooks.

Just my opinion - what do others think?

moldirox · Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 47 Location: west midlands

Thanks everyone - you have helped me make up my mind that it would be better to keep them separate until they are stronger. I have a run at the top bit of the garden and is separated from the rest, they will all be able to see each other as well. It's still a fair size - about 30'x30'. It may not be too long before they can all free range together-but better to wait I think.

moldirox · Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 47 Location: west midlands

Oh and I forgot to add.......I am so excited about having some more battery hens - can't wait Very Happy

debcat · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 7:21 pm Post subject:

how many are you getting and when are they arriving?